We are frequently subjected to doom and gloom about the Algarve and its visitor numbers, and whilst I'm not saying there will be a massive upturn this year,
I have noticed over the past couple of weeks, more people booking to go to the algarve, than I can remember for many years. As many of you will know, I run a Meet & Greet company at manchester airport, and for the past two weeks, 25% of our bookings for Feb/Mar/April seem to be for Faro. Its too soon to gauge for summer
but I am cautiously optimstic for villa owners and local tradespeople.
Although it could just mean that people from the North have taste!

I do hope you are right, there are very mixed signs, the Algarve resident reports 80% of tourist related bars/restaurants in ALbufeira closed because of the lack of tourists and early season bookings are certainlydown, The high season is filling up quickly.
I do believe that the interest is still there and that accom prices are probably the best value ever but the problem this year are flight prices, friends have had cancellations when their clients got around to booking their flights.

Several people that I know are going to the Algarve looking for some winter sun. They have got cheap deals for hotels in Lagos with half board and they will not be hiring cars as they can just use the local services so the total cost is low and it can be somewhat offset by not racking up heating bills in the UK. I just hope the weather is kind to them. Personally I don't see it as a reason to get over optimistic for the summer but fingers crossed.

tricky wrote:We are frequently subjected to doom and gloom about the Algarve and its visitor numbers, and whilst I'm not saying there will be a massive upturn this year,
I have noticed over the past couple of weeks, more people booking to go to the algarve, than I can remember for many years. As many of you will know, I run a Meet & Greet company at manchester airport, and for the past two weeks, 25% of our bookings for Feb/Mar/April seem to be for Faro. Its too soon to gauge for summer
but I am cautiously optimstic for villa owners and local tradespeople.
Although it could just mean that people from the North have taste!

Careful Tricks - the doom and gloom merchants will be lining up - they don't like optimism - I know - I try to instil it on here frequently. Still. Here's hoping for a packed Carvoeiro during the summer!

As long as there is a table at the cocktail garden for you and me Rich, that's okay

tricky wrote:As long as there is a table at the cocktail garden for you and me Rich, that's okay

Too true sweetums, too true

EMM wrote:I do hope you are right, there are very mixed signs, the Algarve resident reports 80% of tourist related bars/restaurants in ALbufeira closed because of the lack of tourists and early season bookings are certainlydown, The high season is filling up quickly.
I do believe that the interest is still there and that accom prices are probably the best value ever but the problem this year are flight prices, friends have had cancellations when their clients got around to booking their flights.

We are ones who have lots of Interest in coming out and this year (august family of 4) just about could afford flights, £300 each after bags,tax etc.... If it gets any higher we may struggle.

Governments should be subsidising flights to encourage people to travel to boost growth..... Oh wait, it was Brussels that outlawed that I seem to remember, another thumbs up for politics.

Here's to summer 2013, hope its a good one.

Well, given the rotten weather here, 2 of our friends are heading over to near CVO next week for 7 days. We're planning to pop over for 2/3 weeks beginning March as a 'pick me up' after living in a building site for 3 weeks (major renovation work involving kitchen and dining room). Then we're back August with our teenage son and his 3 pals for couple of weeks. Inbetween time, daughter and family popping over for 2 weeks.
I'm sure our presence will help the local bars and restaurants!!!!
Cannae wait.